N umber Thirty-Two—Testimony for the Church Chapter 26—The Work of the Gospel Minister 5T 249 There are many things that need to be corrected in the Upper Columbia and North Pacific Conferences. [These were local conferences in what is now the North Pacific Union Conference.— Trustees of Ellen G. White .] The Creator expected the brethren there to bear fruit according to the light and privileges bestowed upon them, but in this He has been disappointed. He has given them every advantage; but they have not improved in meekness, godliness, benevolence. They have not pursued that course of life, have not revealed that character nor exercised that influence, which would tend most to honor their Creator, ennoble themselves, and make them a blessing to their fellow men. Selfishness exists in their hearts. They love to have their own way and seek their own ease, honor, and wealth, and their own pleasure in its grosser or more refined forms. If we pursue the course of the world and follow the b…
"But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."
The EGW passage discusses the disappointment God feels when people do not bear fruit according to the light and privileges bestowed upon them. This directly reflects the principle in Luke 12:48, which states that those who have been given much will be held to a higher standard.
"from the rubbish of the world, around which they are clinging, and entwined about God; they must become spiritually minded. The dishonest and untruthful must become just and true. The ambitious and covetous must be hid in Jesus and seek His glory, not their own. They must despise their own holiness and lay up their treasure above. The prayerless must feel the need of both secret and family prayer, and must make their supplications to God with great earnestness. 5T 249.2"
"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"
The EGW passage explicitly alludes to Matthew 6:20 with the phrase "lay up their treasure above" and the general concept of prioritizing spiritual wealth over earthly possessions.